In their inaugural season, the Vegas Golden Knights shocked the NHL and reached the Stanley Cup Finals. The Knights have made the playoffs all three years of their existence and were at the top of the Pacific Division for two of those years. The NHL Expansion Draft is designed to keep stars with their current teams. So, how did the Golden Knights get so good, so fast? Let’s see what strategies President of Hockey Operations George McPhee and General Manager Kelly McCrimmon used that propelled the new team to be immediate contenders.

The Expansion Draft

The Golden Knights had three main strategies entering the Expansion Draft. Sometimes, they selected the best player available if they liked the player. If there were no players that interested Vegas, they would accept draft picks, in order for teams to expand their protection lists  Lastly, the Golden Knights agreed to take on some contracts, if they received significant draft capital to do so.

Now, let’s look at the Golden Knights’ significant moves during their Expansion draft

Anaheim Ducks:

The Golden Knights acquired Shea Theodore from the Ducks, and the stipulation was that they would select the injured Clayton Stoner, who had one year left on his contract. Stoner retired due to injury during training camp before the Knights’ season and never played a game for them. Theodore, however, has been one of the best defensemen in the league during his time in Vegas, became one of their best players, and has been ranked sixth in the Drive4Five Analytics Corner’s 2020 Defenseman Rankings.

Buffalo Sabres:

The Knights took William Carrier from the Sabres, a two-way winger who played just 41 games the year prior in his rookie year, scoring eight points. Carrier has been a staple in Vegas’ bottom-six through the team’s first three seasons and has 31 points in 162 games. Based on his play, he received a four-year extension in 2020.

Calgary Flames:

Vegas native Deryk Engelland was selected from Calgary, so his veteran leadership and passion for the city made him an obvious candidate to be named an alternate captain. Engelland played over 200 games as a Golden Knight, providing size and physicality on the blue line. The defenseman announced his retirement in December of 2020 but will remain with the Golden Knights as Special Assistant to the Owner, and he will work on various charitable initiatives for Bill Foley and the Golden Knights.

Chicago Blackhawks:

From the Blackhawks, Vegas selected Trevor van Riemsdyk. He was traded the very next day, getting sent to Carolina, alongside a 2018 seventh-round pick, in exchange for a 2017 second-round pick. van Riemsdyk remained a Hurricane until 2020 when he signed with the Washington Capitals as a free agent.

Columbus Blue Jackets:

Likely no team helped Vegas in the expansion draft as much as the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets wanted David Clarkson’s contract off their hands but knew it would take tons of draft capital to convince them. The Jackets ended up sending Clarkson, their 2017 first-round pick, and their 2019 second-round pick to Vegas, and in return chose their expansion draft selection. They chose William Karlsson, who was unneeded in Columbus. Karlsson, whose best season with the Blue Jackets was 25 points, had averaged 65 in his three seasons in Vegas, including a career-high 78 in 2018. William Karlsson holds the Knights’ franchise record for goals, with 82.

Dallas Stars:

Cody Eakin was selected from the Stars. Eakin played in Vegas for two and a half seasons but had his best year in 2019. He posted a career-high 22 goals and 41 points. The center was a key piece of Vegas’ depth until he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 2020.

Florida Panthers:

From the Panthers, the Knights took Johnathan Marchessault. Marchessault bounced around the league, from the Blue Jackets to the Lightning, until he had a breakout 50 point season in Florida. That was the season prior to the expansion draft, and he didn’t slow down when he went to Vegas. Marchessault has never veered under 45 points as a Knight and had a 75 point season in 2018. Marchessault is the franchise leader in points, assists, and game-winning goals for the Golden Knights. On that same day, the Knights traded a fourth-round pick to Florida for Reilly Smith. Smith, now an alternate captain for the team, has also been one of the Knights’ best players, as his three best seasons have come with them.

Los Angeles Kings:

Bulking the defense, the Golden Knights selected Brayden McNabb in the expansion draft. McNabb is not at all a flashy player but is excellent at shutting down the best scorers on the opposing team. McNabb has played more games than anybody else in a Golden Knights sweater, with 228.

Minnesota Wild:

The Golden Knights selected Erik Haula from the expansion draft and traded a 3rd round pick for Alex Tuch. Haula had his best year in 2018, with 55 points, 21 more points than his next highest scoring season. Haula missed most of the next season in 2019 and then was traded to Carolina for cap space reasons. Tuch, on the other hand, is still a Golden Knight, his best season being a 52-point 2019 campaign.

Nashville Predators:

The Golden Knights selected James Neal from the Predators, widely regarded as the most skilled player that was available to Vegas. James Neal scored 44 points and was one of the best Golden Knights during the Stanley Cup run. Neal chose not to resign the next year and signed in Calgary before getting traded to the Edmonton Oilers.

New York Islanders:

Islanders fans were very unpleased with the team’s protection list, as they favored defense, and only protected three forwards. (John Tavares, Anders Lee, and Andrew Ladd, due to his no-movement clause). Worried Vegas would steal Josh Bailey or other valuable forwards, the Islanders traded their 2017 first-round pick, their 2019 second-round pick, defenseman Jake Bischoff, and Mikhail Grabovski to Vegas for expansion draft considerations. Grabovski was a contract the Isles needed to get rid of, and Vegas agreed to take goaltender Jean-Francois Berube. Berube was never given a contract, and Grabovski never played a game for the Golden Knights, but the Isles gave the Golden Knights two valuable draft picks to work with.

Ottawa Senators:

From the Senators, the Golden Knights selected Marc Methot. Five days later, Methot was sent to the Stars for a 2020 second-round pick and goaltender Dylan Ferguson, adding to the Golden Knights draft pick collection.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

It was via the Pittsburgh Penguins that the face of the Golden Knights’ franchise was chosen. As young goaltender Matt Murray emerged, 2003 first-overall pick Marc-Andre Fleury was no longer needed. Pittsburgh sent their 2020 second-round pick to Vegas, assuring they select Fleury, and take the backup’s cap off their hands. Fleury has played amazing as a Golden Knight, especially his playoff performance in 2018, which was the main reason the new team reached the finals.

Washington Capitals:

Vegas selected Nate Schmidt from the Capitals, who became a fan favorite on their blue line. Schmidt played his three best seasons in Vegas, including the Stanley Cup Final against his former team, until he was traded to Vancouver for a 2022 third-round pick, to free up cap space.

The Golden Knights both acquired great players and tons of draft picks through the expansion draft, which set up the franchise for success. It was impossible for Vegas to get some of the league’s biggest stars, as they obviously were protected. However, the Golden Knights were a complete team from first to fourth line and had the goaltending to back it up. George McPhee was confident the team could win right away, and blew away the league with how right he was.

Player Development

The Golden Knights have made tons of trades for great players that teams were willing to sell. Before trading for Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone, and Robin Lehner, the Knights reached the finals purely from the expansion draft. How is that possible? Well, many players on the Golden Knights over performed. We expected these players to fall back to earth, but they never did. They didn’t just have good years, a handful of players got severely better after the move to Vegas. Let’s analyze four of these players.

1. Shea Theodore

The Anaheim Ducks letting Shea Theodore go to the Golden Knights was one of their biggest mistakes in recent history. before the 2013-2014 season, the former first-round pick signed an entry-level contract with the Ducks. For the first two years, he was under the contract, played a few games in the AHL, but remained with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds for the most part. For two more seasons, 2016 and 2017, Theodore bounced between the Ducks and the San Diego Gulls, their AHL affiliate. In 53 Ducks games, Theodore had five goals, 12 assists, and 17 points. So, the Ducks didn’t mind when he went to Vegas.

But Theodore got so much better, offensively and defensively. He went on to post 29, 37, and 46 point seasons across Vegas’ three years. Theodore is seventh in goals, and fourth in assists and points in Golden Knights history. He leads defenseman in all three categories. He’s emerged as a “hidden gem” in the NHL, as he does not get the credit he deserves and has become a top NHL defenseman.

2. Reilly Smith

Before going to Vegas, Reilly Smith was a good scorer, generally a second or third liner. He has two 50 point seasons in his Boston days, coming in 2014, and 2016. In his three Vegas seasons, he scored 60, 54, and 53. The main reason for the increase in points is his role. Primarily in the first season, Smith was given first-line minutes, which is the main reason he reached 60 points.

3. William Karlsson

Like Theodore, Karlsson was relatively unknown as a player before the Golden Knights. In 2015, Karlsson was a rookie on the Ducks and Blue Jackets and scored just three goals and two assists in 21 games for both teams. For the next two years, Karlsson had 45 combined points in two full seasons. Not much more than a third-liner that occasionally scored, Karlsson was not wanted in Columbus. But Karlsson was likely the most improved player of 2018. In just one more game, Karlsson had 53 more points than the prior year. His scoring has sunk a bit since but is still much better than ever before Vegas.

4. Nate Schmidt

Before his time with the Golden Knights, Schmidt spent four years as a defenseman in Washington. During those four years, he totaled eight goals and 35 assists for 43 points through 200 games. He was a solid defensive defenseman that got more and more playing time over the years. But when he went to Vegas, his role changed. He managed to keep the same defensive abilities, but increase his scoring significantly. In his three Golden Knights seasons, Schmidt has scored 30+ points, as in his best prior season, he had 17.

Trade for Star Players

Ever since the Expansion Draft, Vegas has been stockpiling draft picks. So, when selling teams wanted to trade their veterans for prospects and draft capital, the Golden Knights often had more to give than other teams. Let’s look at four big trades that these draft picks got the Knights

1. Tomas Tatar

Leading up to the trade deadline in February 2018, the Golden Knights had acquired Ryan Reaves from Pittsburgh and Brendan Leipsic from Vancouver. These were both good depth additions, but Vegas wanted to add another top-six scoring forward as they sat atop the Pacific. So, they sent a package of a 2018 first-round pick, a 2019 second-round pick, and a 2021 third-round pick to the Detroit Red Wings for Tomas Tatar. Tatar was having a bit of a down year but was coming off of four straight 40-point seasons. He helped Vegas in their final twenty games and playoff run.

2. Max Pacioretty

The Max Pacioretty trade was likely one where both teams benefit. Tatar had strong seasons with the Knights but didn’t quite fit in the system. That offseason, Tatar was traded to Montreal alongside prospect Nick Suzuki and a 2019 second-round pick. Pacioretty’s first year in Vegas was cut short due to injury when he scored 40 points in 66 games. He bounced back in 2020, though, with a team-leading 32 goals and 66 points in 71 games. Tatar had a surprisingly great performance in Montreal last year, as he had a career-high 61 points, and Suzuki had a great rookie year with 41 points.

3. Mark Stone

Remember that first-round pick the Islanders gave the Knights? Well, they selected top defensive prospect Erik Brannstrom. Wanting another elite first liner at the 2019 deadline, Vegas got to work. They traded Brannstrom, Oscar Lindberg, and a 2020 second-round Pick for Mark Stone and Tobias Lindberg. Stone has been an impact player for the Golden Knights. He has continued being a point-per-game scorer and great two-way forward for Vegas, and 29 goals in 27 playoff games since the trade

4. Robin Lehner

Once again, Vegas was active at the deadline in 2020. Marc-Ander Fleury was having a down year, and they wanted a new goaltender as Fleury is nearing the end of his career. The Golden Knights agreed to a three-team trade, where, via the Toronto Maple Leafs, they acquired goaltender Robin Lehner, while sending Malcolm Subban, prospect Slava Demin, and a 2020 second-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks, and a 2020 fifth-round pick to the Leafs. Lehner was coming off a year where he won the William M. Jennings Trophy, Bill Masterton Trophy, and was a Vezina Trophy candidate with the Islanders. He kept up his play in Chicago despite being behind a weaker defense. Lehner continued playing great in Vegas and started for most of the playoffs as Vegas reached the Western Conference Finals. Lehner signed a five-year extension this offseason. Alec Martinez and Nick Cousins were some other deadline acquisitions by Vegas in 2020.

Sign Top Free Agents

Vegas was quiet for their first three free agencies. That all changed in 2020 went Vegas sent Paul Stastny to the Jets, and Nate Schmidt to the Canucks, clearing about $10 million in cap space. That was used to sign one of the best defensemen in the league, Alex Pietrangelo. If Vegas wasn’t already a true Cup contender, this definitely helps.

These four aspects of team development, and some luck on their side, have helped Vegas become successful so quickly. In 2020, the Seattle Kraken will join the league as the 32nd team in the NHL. Should they follow the same strategies as the Golden Knights? It’s worked for Vegas, but can it work again?